Carmen

Georges Bizet’s classic opera features a fateful love triangle involving a soldier, a gypsy and a torreador. Both director E. Loren Meeker and lead actor Aleks Romano (Carmen) make their Madison Opera debut. The production is sung in French with projected English translations.

press release: Sung in French with projected English translations

Friday, November 3, 2017 | 8pm; Sunday, November 5, 2017 | 2:30pm

Overture Hall. Tickets $18-$130

Meet the cast of Bizet's masterpiece

Aleks Romano makes her Madison Opera debut in her first-ever performances of Carmen, the gypsy determined to live life on her own terms. Winner of the First Prize in the 2016 Gerda Lissner Foundation Competition, she has sung leading roles with the Glimmerglass Festival, Portland Opera, and Washington National Opera.  

Sean Panikkar makes his Madison Opera mainstage debut as Don José, the soldier who falls in love with Carmen with tragic results. Mr. Panikkar sang at Opera in the Park 2014 and since then has sung at the Metropolitan Opera, the Salzburg Festival, and Washington National Opera, among others. He has created roles in numerous world premiere operas, including Shalimar the Clown, The Summer King, and JFK, and is also a member of Forte.  

Cecilia Violetta López makes her Madison Opera mainstage debut as Micaëla, José’s hometown sweetheart. Ms. López debuted at Opera in the Park this past summer and was named one of opera’s “25 Rising Stars” by Opera News.  

Corey Crider was acclaimed for his portrayal of the title role in Madison Opera’s 2015 Sweeney Todd and now returns as Escamillo, the famous bullfighter who also falls in love with Carmen.  

Studio Artists Anna Polum, last seen as Papagena in The Magic Flute, and Megan Le Romero, making her debut, play Carmen’s friends, Frasquita and Mercédès.  

The smugglers Dancaire and Remendado are played by Wisconsin native Erik Earl Larson, last seen in Dead Man Walking, and Studio Artist Benjamin Liuopaogo, making his debut.  

Thomas Forde, a favorite Madison Opera performer, sings Zuniga, Don José's commanding officer.  

Charles Eaton makes his Madison Opera debut as Moralès, a corporal in the Spanish Army.